Navigating Global Chemical Regulations | Compliance Insights for Businesses

For companies operating in the chemical industry, one of the most significant challenges is navigating the complex and ever-evolving landscape of global chemical regulations. With each region imposing its own set of rules and compliance requirements, ensuring safety, environmental responsibility, and adherence to local laws can be daunting.

From the European Union’s REACH regulations to the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and various regional adaptations of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), understanding and complying with chemical regulations is critical for global businesses.

In this article, we’ll explore the major regulatory frameworks and provide insights into how companies can manage this intricate web of rules.

The Global Regulatory Landscape

Global chemical regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards posed by chemicals. However, these regulations vary significantly by region, creating a “patchwork” of chemical safety compliance requirements.

Major Regulatory Frameworks Explained

Some of the most prominent frameworks include:

• REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals): The European Union’s REACH regulation is one of the most comprehensive chemical regulatory frameworks. It requires companies to register chemicals produced or imported in volumes of 1 ton or more per year. REACH is notable for its focus on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), which are subject to authorization and restriction.
• TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act): In the United States, TSCA provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with authority to regulate chemicals. TSCA was significantly updated in 2016 through the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, which introduced more rigorous safety assessments and requirements for chemical manufacturers.
• GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals): GHS provides a standardized approach to the classification and labeling of chemicals. Although adopted by many countries, including the EU, U.S., and China, the implementation and adaptation of GHS can vary by region, adding complexity for multinational companies.
• Asia-Pacific Regulations: Countries like China, South Korea, and Japan have their own regulatory frameworks, such as China’s MEE Order No. 12 and South Korea’s K-REACH. These regulations are often influenced by REACH but have distinct compliance requirements.
• Other Regional Regulations: Regions like Latin America and the Middle East also have evolving chemical regulatory landscapes. Brazil’s REACH-like regulation and Saudi Arabia’s regulations on chemical management are gaining prominence.